KRG FOX-42 Precision Rifle: Magpul Massoud Revenant

Big news for tactical and precision rifle fans: Justin J, the designer of the prototype 7.62x51mm rifle companion to the 5.56mm Masada – called “Massoud” – has kept his idea for a semiautomatic 7.62mm rifle alive in Kinetic Research Group’s prototype FOX-42 precision rifle.

The Massoud was not simply an enlarged Magpul Masada, despite its outward similarities. It differed in using a four-lug bolt and a hybrid direct impingement/tappet method of operation. The new KRG FOX-42, in turn, is not simply a rebranded Massoud; the tappet gas system has been dropped in favor of a fixed piston fed from a DI-esque tube, akin to the gas system on the Tavor.

KRG also had on display their Remington 700 chassis, designed with light weight, low cost, and precision in mind. They had on display their two current chassis, the Whiskey-3 and the X-Ray, as well as their new 180-Alpha chassis, expected to ship in the first quarter of this year.

Further, they featured a new magnesium and carbon-fiber chassis, the Habu:

The FOX-42 is for now just a prototype; many of the components of the rifle on display were made via rapid prototyping, including the lower receiver. KRG is hoping to bring the rifle to market first as a precision semiautomatic sniper rifle, and then expand into tactical rifles. However, they were very keen to receive feedback on the product, and expressed a lot of flexibility in how they might bring the product to market.

Nathaniel is a history enthusiast and firearms hobbyist whose primary interest lies in military small arms technological developments beginning with the smokeless powder era. In addition to contributing to The Firearm Blog, he runs 196,800 Revolutions Per Minute, a blog devoted to modern small arms design and theory. He can be reached via email at nathaniel.f@staff.thefirearmblog.com.

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Mike N.

I’ve got a trued Savage short action just waiting for the 180 Alpha chassis to be released.

echelon

Hey KRG, while you’re at it just go ahead and build a Masada-esque version in 5.56 as well.

Then I can dump the Shrubmaster ACR and not have to wait for the Radom MSBS to actually not be BS and come to these shores.

Oh and if you could keep the price ~$1500 that’d be tops!

Thanks.

KestrelBike

but damnit I already paid the $2k entry fee for my ACR way back in 2010/11 or whenever >:
(honestly it’s a great rifle, a lil front heavy but I’m not that into big butts anyways)

echelon

Let’s be honest. It’s way front heavy. I have piston ARs with contraptions and rails and whatnot and they’re way less front heavy than the ACR is without anything on it. And I’m talking about the “basic” model that has the polymer forend.

And I could actually live with that if -IF- Shrubmaster or ROC was going to do anything at all with the platform. Let me have my caliber conversion kits, different barrel lengths, etc. At least make the quick change barrel system weight mean something.

OR

Give consumers all of the Remington Defense upgrades and goodies, including the non-quick change barrel system. At least then, on top of the $2k I’ve already spent, I could spend more money actually making the platform lighter, and all around better.

But no, Shrubby and ROC won’t do anything with it so it just languishes, which is a shame because it truly is an awesome platform.

If KRG doesn’t do something then I sincerely hope those Pols get on it and get that MSBS over here for a decent price…

3XLwolfshirt

I’m still mad about the ACR. Maybe the MSBS can finally get it right.

Anonymoose

Desert Tech MDR tho.

Also, I’d like to see a Massoud-ish rifle that can be converted from .338 Norma/Lapua to the WinMags to .308, which is what I thought the original concept was.

Justin

The original Massoud was built specifically for .308/7.62×51. In fact it’s really a 308 gun stuffed into a 5.56 frame that was stretched a bit. The DTA rifle is an option but what I’m personally more interested in is the Sig MCX-MR.

No worries, I’ll find the answer about the time I forgot I even wanted to know.

Justin

The production weight will be 3.5-3.6lbs. Thank you.

Juice

Any particular reason for the pistolgrip to be at that angle?

Justin

A steeper angle is more comfortable for precision shooting. Our chassis use a 4 degree angle but on this we wanted guys to be able to run some of the AR grips that already have less angle built in so we shifted the AR grip only 10 degrees from its normal position.